History of Cerberus Beach House
THE SHIP
Half Moon Bay is home to HMVS Cerberus which was launched in 1868 and believe it or not was the first and most powerful of the modern-day battleships. Built for the Victorian Navy this iron colossus formed part of the pre-Federation and old colonial navy. It’s a prized item in our collection of wonders down here on the bay and is brimming with accolades being the only monitor-class warship left in the world. Its revolutionary design dispensed completely with wind sails and was powered solely by steam-powered engines that once roared inside the central superstructure now grounded approx three metres of water on the sands.
MYTHS AND MODERN LEGENDS
Where did the name Cerberus come from? Strange but true – it dates far back beyond the rule of Victorian wars and waves to a time when myths and legends reigned supreme.
Cerberus originates from Greek and Roman culture and is the name for the loyal watchdog who guarded the gates of the ancient Greek underworld. The story goes that no living soul would be able to cross the river Styx (rather a strange coincidence considering it’s a dog watching the river) to the underworld and escape back across the river alive! The most famous account tells how Orpheus in his quest to capture the Cerberus lulled the great dog to sleep with poisoned honey cakes while playing sleep-inducing music. This was the twelfth and final labour of Heracles
Taking inspiration from this, brand and design creatives 93ft, England, have recaptured the Cerberus with the illustrative hand of International Artist, Tom Newell who is based out of London. Tom is a Dazed and Confused regular who also works for International Designer, John Richmond.
